Mikhail Gorbachev S Funeral Held In Moscow As Putin Too Busy To Attend Mikhail Gorbachev

The farewell ceremony, which is being held in the Hall of Pillars at the Moscow House of Unions, will be followed by a private funeral at Novodevichy Cemetery. People standing in line to attend the farewell ceremony. Photo: Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images Although the funeral will contain “elements of a state funeral”, a Kremlin spokesman said, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend due to his “schedule”. However, the security presence was heavy in central Moscow, where armed police and armored vehicles were stationed in the center of the city. The Russian government is overseeing some arrangements for the funeral, which could include a military honor guard. Gorbachev ‘was so amazing’, former adviser to Ronald Reagan says at Moscow funeral – video Carrying bouquets of carnations and roses, mourners spoke of “paying tribute” to Gorbachev’s legacy and the “gift of freedom” he gave the country, despite the anger many Russians felt towards him for hastening the end of the Soviet Union. He remains a hero to many liberal Russians. Guards stand next to the coffin of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union. Photo: Evgenia Novozhenina/AFP/Getty Images “I’m here to pay tribute to a great man,” said Galina Ivanchenko, who was holding a bouquet of carnations. “He took on a burden that none of us could bear and he should be remembered for that, despite what everyone says.” Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. He said he hoped in time more Russians would remember him more fondly in the future. “Who hasn’t made mistakes?” asked. “He must be forgiven. He should never have been charged.” Remembering Mikhail Gorbachev: the last leader of the Soviet Union – video obituary